Western Heads East
1151 Richmond St. n6a 3k7 London, ON, Canada

Anti-Asian racism continues to impact members of our community. It has always existed, and the pandemic has further intensified and brought these issues to the ...surface. We are aware of the incidents that have occurred in the last few months. Lots of work is being done on-campus to address racism and we remain committed to working towards systemic change. We wanted to share resources and advice to help us educate ourselves, and to help you find support if you are experiencing race-related stress. Each of us has a role to play in dismantling racism. Take time to question your own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs and where they come from. Think about the impact that your words and actions have. We have a comprehensive list of resources to support you at uwo.ca/se/digital. In particular, we have two upcoming EDI training sessions that are open for registration: Anti-Racism & Allyship Training on February 26 at 12:30 p.m., and Bias Awareness Training on March 9, and 12:30 p.m. (https://www.uwo.ca//di/types/equity/programs-training.html) Everything is harder right now and we have to lean into kindness and empathy to look out for each other. Check-in with your friends, particularly now, when some may be feeling isolated due to misinformation, assumptions, and racism. There are Western clubs and student communities where you can connect with your peers and lean on each other for support. We are here to help. Students can reach out to counsellors for support by calling 519-661-3030 or emailing [email protected]. Students who identify as members of Asian communities who are experiencing race-related stress and are seeking a safe space to talk can request to speak with counsellors who are themselves persons of these communities with lived experience. International students can also can contact our team of International Student Advisors for support (https://iesc.uwo.ca/remote/advising.html).

We urge you to join us and call out racism when you see it, to be vocal when the dignity of anyone is questioned, whether it is the colour of their skin, the d...eity they worship or the people they love. King's University College at Western University Western University Brescia University College Huron University Fanshawe College

Peer Guide Application Deadline Extended to February 21! This is your last chance to become a Peer Guide for the 2021-2022 Academic year! "Being a Peer Guide has been an amazing experience. It has allowed me to connect with students from all over the world, providing friendship and support through the challenges of transitioning that I myself faced as an international student. It has also allowed me to create lasting connections and awesome memories with my Peer Guide team" - Andaiye Burrowes, Third-Year Student, Psychology. To apply visit our website: uwo.ca/interna//about_us/volunteer/peer_guide_program.html

New government requirements have been announced for all travellers coming to Canada by air and by land, including a mandatory 3-day stay at a government-approved hotel for those arriving by air and negative COVID-19 tests. We are working to understand how these changes will impact students and will share updates on our International Arrival page as we receive them. If you’re planning to travel to Canada, please be sure to follow all the steps on our International Arrival pa...ge. iesc.uwo.ca/internationalarrival2020/. Also, if you are looking for more information or have questions, please attend IESC’s Travelling to Canada Q&A session on February 19 at 8:30 am EST. International Student Advisors will be there to provide updates on Canada's current and upcoming travel restrictions, quarantine and testing requirements and answer questions. To get the Zoom link please register in advance with your Western email address here: events.westernu.ca/events/iesc/2021-02/travel_canada.html

Tell us: What are the most important partnerships for Western in the next 3-5 years? Fostering new partnerships and strengthening existing ones will be critical... to Western’s long-term success. Help create a bold future for Western. https://strategicplan.uwo.ca/theme-partnerships.html

Happy Lunar New Year! This year we are celebrating the Year Of The Ox. Maybe you’re trading virtual red envelopes, putting on a red outfit, trying a new recipe ...or sharing a meal virtually. We know celebrations look different this year, but we hope this year is full of new opportunities and meaningful connections. Pictured:Designed image of an ox with the numbers 2021 flanking its head.